Google’s Adopt a Startup project names 32 competitors

Google has accepted entrants from outside of Ireland for its Adopt a Startup competition for the first time ever, with Bulgaria, Lithuania and Denmark also present.

For its third year, the expanded list of 32 start-ups will compete for €10,000 worth of an Adwords grant, with the winning candidate named in December.

“We have expanded Adopt a Startup every year and this year our start-ups reflect the vibrancy of the scene not only in Ireland but in other countries in Europe,” said Paddy Flynn, head of Google Ireland’s start-up programme.

“Through Adopt a Startup we are giving entrepreneurs every opportunity to succeed in the digital marketplace by working with Google experts and sharing their experiences with their fellow start-ups.”

A strong line-up

The full list of 32 entrants includes the likes of Coderdojo, a volunteer led, global movement of free coding clubs for young people, and Beats Medical, an app for Parkinson’s sufferers. Ciara Clancy discussed her Beats Medical experience at this year’s Inspirefest.

Each of the 32 entrants will receive 12 weeks of mentoring, with dedicated Google staff on hand for each start-up.

Lectures will be provided and discussions initiated before a presentation will determine the eight finalists, who will then go on to the 1 December final.

History of success

Previous winners of the competition include Jobbio and Foodcloud, with the founder of the latter, Iseult Ward, full of praise for the project.

“Our Google start-up team were very supportive and spent a lot of time learning about the work we do,” she said.

“They worked with us to develop a digital marketing strategy that would help us to raise awareness about the work we are doing in Ireland to tackle food waste.

“It was an amazing opportunity to work with Google and also to meet a lot of great start-ups in Dublin.”